Associação dos níveis de motivação e autoestima na aderência à prática de atividade física de universitários

A aderência à prática da atividade física se constitui na maior dificuldade encontrada pelos profissionais da área da saúde. É importante ter conhecimento de determinantes que podem influenciar na aderência. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram o de elaborar, desenvolver e validar uma escala para avaliar a Autoestima referenciada na aderência da prática da atividade física e verificar a associação da Motivação e Autoestima à prática de atividade física. A Escala de Autoestima proposta para validação é uma escala de auto-resposta com dezesseis itens, cinco dimensões e com respostas com três níveis de concordância. Os participantes no estudo de validação são 312 universitários de ambos os sexos, com idades compreendidas entre 18 e 35 anos. Metade deles é praticante regular de atividade física. A Análise Fatorial dos itens mostra cinco dimensões: Introspecção, Imagem Física, Satisfação com a vida, Aceitação e Confiança. As propriedades psicométricas são aceitáveis, com Alfa de Cronbach igual a 0,75. O estudo de validação baseado nas correlações entre esta escala e a de Rosenberg, segundo o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson, com sig. p < 0, 001 nas classificações e na correlação sugere que a escala pode ser utilizada em estudos de investigação e programas de promoção da saúde. As escalas de Autoestima e de Motivação (MPAM-R) foram aplicadas a um grupo de 110 universitários, 65% do sexo feminino e 35% do sexo masculino, com idade média compreendida entre 18 e 35 anos. Segmentados em dois grupos de praticantes regulares e não regulares de atividade física. Foram controladas as variáveis demográficas, ambientais e antropométricas. Verificou-se associação significativa entre as variáveis Autoestima e Motivação pelo teste Qui-Quadrado, e que denotam que a dimensão da Autoestima Imagem Física, quando cruzada com as dimensões da Motivação, mostra-se em alto grau discricionário e associação direta. Motivação Diversão (sig.p = 0,002), Competência (sig.p = 0.007) e Social (sig.p = 0.016). Ainda, no cruzamento do Escore Total da dimensão Autoestima e a dimensão Diversão da variável Motivação, apresenta associação diretas e significativas (sig.p = 0.020). A síntese dos resultados denota ações combinadas de estímulo na melhora da percepção positiva da Imagem Física do indivíduo, tendo como plano de fundo, ambiente divertido, desafiador (competência) e social (interação com os pares), traduz em aderência a prática da Atividade Física

A prática de atividade física de crianças e adolescentes com e sem epilepsia

The epilepsy is one of the neurological disorders more common in the pediatric period, and which interferes significantly in the psycho and social life of children and teenagers. The objective of this study was analyzing the practice of sedentary practices, physicals, traditional infant fun and games of children and teenagers with and without epilepsy. The study was prospective, transversal descriptive, done with 60 children and teenagers with epilepsy (Epileptic Group - EG) patients from Pediatric Neurology Clinic of the Centre Integrated Health Lineu Araújo and 60 children and teenagers without epilepsy (Control Group - CG) students from municipal public school, both of the two groups paired with the same age (age group 7 to 14 years) of both the genders (female = 25/41,6% and male = 35/58,3%) of the Teresina city Piauí. It was done two pattern questionnaires, one applied to children and teenagers of the EG and CG to identify the sedentary activities, physical and traditional infant games and other to the parents/responsible of the EG about the clinical and demographic information. The results permitted the elaboration of two manuscripts: a) the first one titled The Practice of Sedentary and Physical Activities of Children and Teenagers with Epilepsy which showed significant difference in the sedentary activities of playing with car toy (p=0,021) to the EG and reading to the CG (p=0,001); in the physical activities the school physical education (p=0,001) and riding a bike (p=0,014) to the CG; b) the second one The Practice of Infant Games and Fun the children and teenagers with and without Epilepsy in this one the playing with marble presented significant difference (p=0,016) to the CG, despite the girls of the two groups don t do this activity. Observing the distribution of frequencies, it was verified that in the play catch-up and hide-and-seek and burn the EG plays more than the CG both in female and male gender. The girls of the EG play less skip, 60 while the boys of the two groups don t play. Elastic jump the girls of the two groups play in a same frequency and the boys don t participate of this fun. The seizures were found to occur during: soccer (23,3%); hide-and-seek (6,6%) and running (3,3%). In the sedentary activities, seizures were reported to occur: resting and watching TV (18,3%), sleeping (36,0%); sitting (13,3%) and lying down (11,7%). Our results showed that the epileptic group and the controls group engage in the same activities, although the epileptic group participates less than the controls. Although the EG had presented a bigger percentage of generalized attacks, they don t occur during the practice of formal physical activities. The research was developed by a multidisciplinary team, and this contributed a lot to the realization of this study

Impacto da atividade física na qualidade de vida em mulheres de meia idade: estudo de base populacional

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Associação entre consumo alimentar e atividade física com a síndrome metabólica em mulheres na pós-menopausa

Post-menopause is characterized as the period beginning one year after the permanent cessation of menstrual cycles, which is typically related to medical disorders that, in association with Metabolic Syndrome (MS), represent a set of cardiovascular risk factors. Objective: To assess dietary intake and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women, according to the level of physical activity. Methods: The sample consisted of 82 women, evaluated in the Northern Zone of the city of Natal / RN who were participants in the Natal Active Program. People completed a Food Frequency Consumption Questionnaire (FFCQ) and were interviewed about physical activity. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests were used to diagnose MS (Metabolic Syndrome). Result: The active women consumed more protective foods (flaxseed, nuts, whole wheat bread, brown rice and olive oil) than inactive women. Risky foods (sugar, crackers, white bread, white rice, margarine and beef) were consumed more by the group of inactive women. The prevalence of MS was higher in inactive women (53.30%) than in physically active women (46.70%). Conclusion: Active post-menopausal women had a higher daily intake of protective foods in relation to cardiovascular disease, while the inactive post-menopausal women had higher intake of risky foods for such diseases

Opiniões sobre estágio curricular e prática de ensino na licenciatura em química: o caso do CEFET-PB

The Brazilian legal documents are directing the reformulation of the courses that prepare students to be teachers. Through out the country many institutions look for to fit themselves in such documents. On the other hand, other IES (Superior Education Institutions), when they are setting up such courses they looked for to be adequate to the new public politics. Based on the National Curricular Norms to form teachers for Basic Education, in tertiary level, in 2004 it was created at the CEFET-PB,the Chemistry Course (Licenciatura) to prepare people to be teachers, whose organization. This work presents the results of a research of phenomenological nature that aimed to comprehend the teachers opinions, in the range of discussions about the current politics of formation, particularly related to the CNE/CP 1 and CNE/CP 2/2002 resolutions. This work based on the curricular proposal for the Chemistry Course (Licenciatura), presents the relationship between the probationary period and the teaching practice at the CEFET-PB, in order to contribute for a reflection about these categories to clarify the teachers of the course. It started from the consideration of all changes operated in contemporary society implies changes on teacher's pedagogical practices. It was used tow instruments for the data collection: a questionnaire with open and closed questions and recordable interviews. Nine teachers form the CEFET-PB took apart and four licensed teachers. It was based in a theoretic frame as a support for discussions about the different models of teachers formation. We concluded that the representations of teachers about probationary period the practice on the activity for the teachers formation was strongly anchored in characteristic elements of the formative tendency of a institution that historically acted on a technician formation, and the results pointed to strong signs of attitudes based on a model of the technical rationality

Validação do questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ) através da acelerometria em idosas

Physical activity is one of the main components of a healthy lifestyle, responsible for many health benefits. Despite being considered important for both disease prevention and health promotion there is high prevalence of sedentary behavior in the elderly population. Questionnaires are practical and feasible instruments for assessing levels of physical activity. However, they may have limitations in older age ranges. Accelerometers, movement sensors that make physical activity data more objective, emerge as reliable measuring devices. Aim: Determine the validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) adapted for elderly with accelerometry in elderly women. Methods: 57 elderly women, with mean age of 66.05 ± 5.98 years who took part in hypertension control and physical activity incentive programs were assessed in relation to objective and subjective measures of physical activity. The accelerometer was used for 07 consecutive days, 24 hours per day before the IPAQ was applied. Data were analyzed using measures of central tendency and dispersion to characterize the sample according to variables collected. To check the validity of the data we used the Spearman correlation test, considering a significance level of p <0.05. Results: With respect to the categories of physical activity obtained by IPAQ, 46.4% developed moderate physical activity, followed by a high (30.3%) and low level (23.2%). There was a negative correlation only between self-reported time spent sitting and time spent on light activities as measured by accelerometry (r = - 0.408; p = 0.003) and mean activity level (counts/min) with physical activity levels evaluated by IPAQ (r = 0.297; p = 0.036). Conclusion: The IPAQ used in elderly women shows moderate to low validity levels according to accelerometry measures. Assessment of sedentary activities exhibited acceptable levels compared to accelerometry; however, moderate (r = 0.096; p > 0.05) to vigorous (r = 0.098; p > 0.05) activities were not correlated, demonstrating the inability of IPAQ to evaluate this type of activity in elderly women

Adaptação e validação da escala de motivação à prática de atividades físicas

The study of the motivation to practice physical activities is relevant once through this it is possible to develop intervention strategies for sedentary population. In this way, the present dissertation aimed to adapt and validate for the Brazilian context the Motives for Physical Activity Measure Revised (MPAM-R). It was investigated yet the relation of some socio-demographic variables (age, gender, Body Mass Index - BMI, types of physical activity; way to practice and time of practice) and the participants means in the motives studied. The physical activity (PA) is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles resulting in energy expenditure above the basal level. However, in the present study it was considered motivation for two types of PA: the physical exercises and sports. The Self-Determination Theory (SDT) underlay this research, once it has been used in the sportive context, beyond the facto of it was used as theoretical base to the development of MPAM-R. To attain the proposed goals, it was accomplished translations to Portuguese of the original English scale. Next, was carried out the semantic analysis and the judge analysis. For the empirical analysis of items, participated 309 practitioner of PA, classified in physical exercises practitioners and sports practitioners, with ages between 16 and 74 years, distributed equally by sex. They answered the final version in Portuguese of the MPAM-R and socio-demographic questions. The data was collected in Natal/RN, where the researcher approached people in some places where the PA is practiced, following she communicated that their involvement will be spontaneous and their responses will be confidential. The obtained results pointed the confirmation of the existence of five factors in the final version of the instrument, that was composed by 26 items that presented the following statistics indexes: x² (289) = 757.75, p < 0.000, x²/DF = 2.62, with GFI of 0.83, AGFI of 0.80 and RMSEA of 0.07. The reliability (Cronbach Alpha) of the complete instrument was 0.90, and the indexes of each factor were considered satisfactory too: Enjoyment (α = 0.88), Health (α = 0.84), Appearance (α = 0.79), Competence (α = 0.85) and Social (α = 0.75). It was observed that, in general, the main motive presented by the participants to practice PA was Health. It was verified yet, that women and aged had a higher mean in the Health factor; among the exercise practitioners was found a higher mean in the Appearance factor; and a higher mean in the Social factor was found among those that practice PA with accompaniment. It was concluded that the MPAM-R presented satisfactory psychometric parameters, became it useful in futures researches. Moreover, proposed the accomplishment of new studies that considered others variables to the intent of the better understanding of motivation to practice physical activity

Prevalência de sintomas do climatério em mulheres dos meios rural e urbano no Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

OBJETIVO: avaliar a sintomatologia climatérica e fatores relacionados entre mulheres dos meios urbano e rural do Rio Grande do Norte. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal, descritivo, envolvendo casuística de 261 mulheres climatéricas residentes em Natal e Mossoró (grupo urbano; n=130) e Uruaçu, em São Gonçalo do Amarante (grupo rural; n=131). A sintomatologia climatérica foi avaliada pelo Índice Menopausal de Blatt-Kupperman (IMBK) e Escala Climatérica de Greene (ECG). A análise estatística constou de comparações das medianas dos escores entre os grupos e regressão logística. Defi niram-se como “muito sintomáticas” as pacientes com escores ≥20, para ambos instrumentos (variável dependente). As variáveis independentes foram: idade, procedência, alfabetização, obesidade e prática de atividade física. RESULTADOS: o grupo urbano apresentou escores signifi cativamente superiores ao grupo rural, tanto para o IMBK (medianas de 26,0 e 17,0, respectivamente; p<0,0001), quanto para a ECG (medianas de 27,0 e 16,0, respectivamente; p<0,0001). Na amostra total, evidenciou-se que 56,3% (n=147) das mulheres foram classifi cadas como “muito sintomáticas”. Na comparação intergrupos, essa prevalência foi signifi cativamente mais elevada nas mulheres urbanas em relação às rurais (79,2 e 33,6%, respectivamente; p<0,05). Pela análise de regressão logística, evidenciou-se que a chance de pertencer ao grupo defi nido como “muito sintomáticas” foi maior para mulheres do meio urbano [odds ratio ajustado (OR)=7,1; 95% intervalo de confi ança a 95% (IC95%)=3,69-13,66] e alfabetizadas (OR=2,19; IC95%=1,16-4,13). A idade superior a 60 anos associou-se com menor chance de ocorrência de sintomas signifi cativos (OR=0,38; IC95%=0,17-0,87). CONCLUSÕES: a prevalência de sintomas climatéricos signifi cativos é menor em mulheres do meio rural, demonstrando que fatores socioculturais e ambientais estão fortemente relacionados ao surgimento dos sintomas climatéricos em nossa população.___________________________________ABSTRACT PURPOSE: to evaluate climacteric symptoms and related factors in women living in rural and urban areas of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. METHODS: a cross-sectional study involving 261 women in the climacteric was performed. A total of 130 women from Natal and Mossoró (urban group) and 131 from Uruaçu, in São Gonçalo do Amarante (rural group), were studied. Climacteric symptoms were assessed by the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index (BKMI) and Greene Climacteric Scale (GCE). Statistical analysis involved comparison of median between groups and logistic regression analysis. Patients were defi ned as “very symptomatic” when the climacteric score was ≥20 for both questionnaires (dependent variable). Independent variables were: age, living area, schooling, obesity and physical activity. RESULTS: the urban group had signifi cantly higher scores than those of the rural group, both for BKMI (median of 26.0 and 17.0, respectively; p<0.0001) and for GCE (median of 27.0 and 16.0, respectively; p<0.0001). For the entire sample, a total of 56.3% (n=147) of the women were classifi ed as “very symptomatic”. This prevalence was signifi cantly higher in urban than in rural women (79.2 and 33.6%, respectively; p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the likelihood of belonging to the group defi ned as “very symptomatic” was greater for urban women [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=7.1; confi dence interval at 95% (95%CI)=3.69-13.66] who were literate (OR=2.19; 95%CI=1.16- 4.13). Individuals over the age of 60 years had less chance of having signifi cant symptoms (OR=0.38; 95%CI=0.17-0.87). CONCLUSIONS: the prevalence of signifi cant climacteric symptoms is less in women from a rural environment, showing that sociocultural and environmental factors are strongly related to the appearance of climacteric symptoms in our population

Aspectos socioeconômicos e demográficos relacionados ao estresse e a síndrome de Burnout em fisioterapeutas no Brasil

Dos problemas de saúde existentes no ambiente de trabalho, 18% afetam o aparelho psíquico, a exemplo do estresse, atingindo cerca de 30% dos trabalhadores em geral. A persistência e intensidade do estresse, associada às sucessivas tentativas de lidar com os mesmos, tornam os indivíduos vulneráveis ao surgimento da Síndrome deBurnout. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a relação dos aspectos socioeconômicos e demográficos com o estresse e a Síndrome de Burnout em fisioterapeutas do Brasil. Para isso, este estudo teve uma abordagem do tipo transversal, com 1040 fisioterapeutas do Brasil, através de uma amostragem do tipo snowbolle não probabilística. Utilizou-se um questionário socioeconômico, demográfico e profissional, a Escala de Estresse no Trabalho (EET) e a adaptação do Cuestionario para la Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo (CESQT). Na análise dos dados, foram utilizadas a estatística descritiva e inferencial. Dentre os principais resultados obtidos, percebeu-se uma maior representatividade da região Nordeste (48,7%), com idade média de 31anos, sexo feminino (75,7%), carga horária semanal de 35,4 horas, com 3-5 anos de atuação profissional. Observou-se que 37,0% apresentavam estresse relacionado estatisticamente com a idade (p=0,008),atividade física (p=0,039) e satisfação com a saúde (r=-0,322; p<0,001). Não foi observado nenhum caso de Burnout, porém houve uma média elevada nas dimensões, desgaste psíquico, indolência e culpa, totalizando 49,0% comtendência ao desenvolvimento da síndrome. Portanto, as variáveis, idade, prática da atividade física e satisfação com a saúde obtiveramrelação com o estresse. Para o Burnout, destacaram-se a região de moradia (centro-oeste), satisfação com a saúde, local de trabalho (clínicas e hospitais), além do maior número de locais de trabalho. Diante desse contexto, os estudos sobre o estresse e a Síndrome de Burnout se apresentam como elementos derelevância dentro do contexto da prevenção dos riscos laborais e da análise das condições de trabalho

Prostitutas entendidas: o que entender?

In this research, we propose a discussion from that observed in our field of work that women are prostitutes and who self-define understood. We check these women have sex with men by means of work and with women from the relationship of affection. We analyzed the practice of sexual activity as another possible expression of sexuality. There are many studies that deal with issues around the theme of prostitution and homosexuality in regard to various aspects and disciplines. Our proposal for study with these women is a topic that is on the agenda, as today, the theme of prostitution and homosexuality is well discussed within the Humanities in general. These new studies indicate about sexuality in a privileged place discussing values associated with the intimacy of the modern person, but also suggest that permeate discussions elements underlying the identity of women who have sex with women and men, the latter being, sexual activity mediated through the employment relationship by the financial interest, because according to our informants, prostitution is a job. From the reports of our participants / informants your answers fit the various brands that define the social field of possibilities of the sexual practices of individuals, raising questions about the origin and social class, family history, stage of life they are set of gender relations in the universe in which they live. All these elements provide the beacons to the process of shaping of subjectivity, understood as the social and biographical circumstances that define the direction I face this new constitution of the subject, it is defined by many theorists of the humanities, such as post-modern or modernity, and the insurgency that we have with the liberation movements that gays and lesbians were in question and make the politicization of sexuality

Efeitos agudos da aplicação do laser de baixa potência sobre o desempenho neuromuscular do sóleo em sujeitos saudáveis

A laserterapia de baixa potência (LBP) tem demonstrado recentemente ser capaz de aumentar a resistência à fadiga, bem como potencializar o desempenho neuromuscular através de seus efeitos metabólicos e fotoquímicos. Estudos anteriores mostraram que o LBP reduziu o estresse oxidativo do exercício, promovendo um retardo da fadiga muscular e minimizando seus efeitos deletérios. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar se a aplicação do LBP antes de um protocolo de fadiga teria efeito sobre o desempenho neuromuscular nas variáveis eletromiográficas e dinamométricas do músculo sóleo em sujeitos saudáveis. Esta pesquisa caracterizou-se como um estudo experimental do tipo ensaio clínico controlado, randomizado e cego, no qual participaram 60 voluntários de ambos os sexos, com faixa etária entre 18 e 28 anos e fisicamente ativos, segundo o questionário internacional para a prática de atividade física (IPAQ). Os sujeitos foram alocados randomicamente em três grupos: Controle (G1), Placebo (G2) e Laser (G3) e todos os voluntários foram submetidos a uma avaliação inicial (AV-1), um Protocolo de Fadiga e uma avaliação final (AV-2), compostas por contrações isocinéticas para flexão plantar a uma velocidade de 90°/s. Os resultados encontrados nesse estudo mostraram que não houve diferença estatística entre os três grupos da pesquisa nas variáveis eletromiográficas de RMS e Frequência Mediana, contudo, em relação à dinamometria, o grupo que recebeu a aplicação do Laser obteve um índice de fadiga significativamente menor (p=0,04) quando comparado aos grupos Controle e Placebo. Além disso, a aplicação do laser pré-exercício também resultou em um aumento nas variáveis de desempenho potência e trabalho. Com isso, pode-se concluir que o LBP foi capaz de melhorar o desempenho do sóleo em sujeitos saudáveis, justificado pelo aumento da resistência à fadiga

Variáveis relacionadas ao processo de adesão a um programa de prevenção de quedas em idosos cadastrados na Estratégia de Saúde da Família

Introduction: Falls among older adults is a public health problem, therefore it is necessary preventive actions, however the adherence is the major problem faced by practitioners and researchers working on falls prevention programs. Objective: To evaluate the variables related to the adherence to falls prevention programs among the elderly enrolled in a Basic Health Unit (BHU). Methods: Was performed an observational cross-sectional analytical study. All elderly registered in a BHU and able to ambulate independently were invited to participate in a falls prevent program. The Elderly who Adhered to the Program (EAP) were evaluated at BHU; and the Elderly Not Adhered to the Program (ENAP) were identified and assessed at home. The assessment for both groups was performed using an evaluation form containing personal data, measures and clinical scales to assess cognitive status, balance, mobility, fear of falling, handgrip strength. Data were analyzed with SPSS 20.0. In addition to this assessment, the ENAP underwent a semi structured interview, in which we used the qualitative approach based on the figure of the Collective Subject Discourse. Results: The study included 222 elderly, 111 EAP and 111ENAP, most aged between 70 and 79 years (48.2%), female (68.5%), married (52.3%) and illiterate (47.7%). Consolidated as protective factors for adherence, worst rates of physical activity (p = 0.001), balance (p = 0.010) and cognition (p = 0.007). The interview of ENAP identified two themes: "Local implementation of programs for the prevention of falls" and "Relationship between BHU and the elderly health care," and found that the elderly who did not adhere were unable to displace and did not mention that primary care programs are related to health care in elderly. Conclusions: Elderly who do not adhere to the program differ from elderly who adhere as worst indices of cognition, balance and physical activity which implies greater risk of falling; and they were unable to participate in falls prevention program and by to be caregiver and showed displacement difficult

Prevalência e fatores associados ao risco e a desnutrição em idosos institucionalizados

One of the most important problems in the elderly is a nutritional deficiency. Several physiological changes and the use of multiple drugs interfere with appetite, food intake and absorption of nutrients, which can lead to the risk and malnutrition in the elderly, especially among institutionalized. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition and risk for malnutrition and its associated factors in institutionalized elderly. The same can be characterized by the type individual, observational and cross-sectional. Obtaining the sample was through the records of individuals of long-stay institutions for the elderly in the city of Natal, RN. The elderly were evaluated through the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and triceps skinfold (TSF) and each senior or caregiver answered a questionnaire about information like type and dietary restrictions, accessibility to food, use of alcohol and tobacco, practice physical activity and appetite. Variables such as age, gender, education, marital status, time that the elderly living in the institution, the reason for the institutionalization and comorbidities were taken from the records of each senior. The frequency of food consumption of various food groups was assessed from the questionnaire frequency of feeding study Health, Wellbeing and Aging (HWA). Data were presented as means and standard deviations, absolute and relative frequencies. To analyze the frequency of consumption, there was a factor analysis with extraction of factors from the principal components analysis with varimax rotation. A bivariate analysis was performed using the chi-square and the magnitude of the effect observed by prevalence ratio (95% CI). The Poisson regression assessed the net effect of independent variables on the two outcomes, considering a significance level of 5%. We studied twelve Homes for the Aged totaling 381 seniors eligible for the study. The prevalence of risk of malnutrition was 46.1% (45.9 to 46.2) and malnutrition was 31.4% (31.2 to 31.5). The risk of malnutrition was significantly associated with the presence of urinary incontinence (RP = 1.444, 1.113 to 1.874) was associated with malnutrition and lack of appetite (RP = 1.757, 1.246 to 2.476), the fact that the individuals do not have access to food outside the institution (RP = 0.565, 0.337 to 0.946), low water consumption (RP = 1.646, 1.101 to 2.459) and dementia (PR = 1.537, 1.072 to 2.204). The high prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition in the study suggests that we should pay attention to information related to eating habits and the presence of comorbidities, as these can influence the nutritional status of this population

Parque Estadual da Pedra da Boca (Araruna/PB): uma avaliação sobre as atividades turísticas e as ações de gestão territorial

The Conservation Units, specially the National and State parks are among the major destinations for adventure tourism and ecotourism, so that the National System of Unit Conservation (Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação) SNUC (Law 9.985/2000) covers the practice of touristic activities, specially the ecotourism in these territorial unities. Despite these are areas for environmental conservation, practice of environmental education, scientific research and contemplation of the nature in its primary or in a similar condition, the practice of touristic activity does not often meet these aims. The main aim of this research was to evaluate the touristic activities and the actions of territorial management in the State Park of Pedra da Boca (PEPB), situated in the city of Araruna/PB. According to the results, the PEPB has in its territorial area a porphyritic granite rock set, whose geological and geomorphologic settings are unique and have scenic value. It is also home of flora and fauna endemic species and representative of the savanna biome. The data and information achieved show that the Park has a remarkable potential for tourism, especially ecotourism, however, there is a need for development of territorial management actions, in order to subsidize the use of spatial tourism site

Avaliação da efetividade do Programa de Alimentação do Trabalhador

This study analyzed the Worker’s Healthy Eating Program in Rio Grande do Norte state (RN) to assess its possible impact on the nutritional status of the workers benefitted. To that end, we conducted a cross-sectional observational prospective study based on a multistage stratified random sample comparing 26 small and medium-sized companies from the Manufacturing Sector (textiles, food and beverages, and nonmetallic minerals) of RN, divided into two equal groups (WFP and Non WFP). Interviews were conducted at each company by trained interviewers from Tuesday to Saturday between September and December 2014. Data were collected on the company (characterization and information regarding the program’s desired results) and workers (personal and professional information, anthropometrics, health, lifestyle and food consumed the previous day). Population estimates were calculated for RN on the characteristics of workers and the study variables. The main variable was BMI. The secondary variables were waist circumference (WC), nutritional diagnosis, calorie intake, blood pressure, metabolic variables and lifestyle indicators. The statistical method used was hierarchical mixed effects linear regression for interval variables and hierarchical mixed effects logistic regression for binary variables. The variables measured in ordinal scales were analyzed by ordinal logistic regression adjusted for correlated variables, adopting robust standard errors. The results for interval variables are presented as point estimates and their 95% confidence intervals; and as odds-ratios and their 95% confidence intervals for binary variables. The Fisher’s exact and Student’s t-tests were used for simple comparisons between proportions and means, respectively. Differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. A total of 1069 workers were interviewed, of which 541 were from the WFP group and 528 from the Non WFP group. Subjects were predominantly males and average age was 34.5 years. Significant intergroup differences were observed for schooling level, income above 1 MW (minimum wage) and specific training for their position at the company. The results indicated a significant difference between the BMI of workers benefitted, which was on average 0.989 kg/m2 higher than the BMI of workers from the Non WFP group (p=0.002); and between the WC, with the waist circumference of WFP group workers an average of 1.528 cm larger (p<0.05). Higher prevalence of overweight and obesity (p<0.001) and cardiovascular risk (p=0.038) were recorded in the WFP group. Tests on the possible effect of the WFP on health (blood pressure and metabolic indicators) and lifestyle indicators (smoking, alcohol consumption and exercise) were not significant. With respect to worker’s diets, differences were significant for consumption of saturated fat (lunch and daily intake), salt (lunch, other meals and daily intake) and proteins (other meals and daily intake), with higher consumption of these nutrients in the WFP group. The study showed a possible positive impact of the WFP on nutritional status (BMI and WC) among the workers benefitted. No possible effects of the program were observed for the lifestyle indicators studied. Workers benefitted consumed less salt, saturated fat and protein. The relevance of the WFP is recognized for this portion of society and it is understood that, if the program can reach and impact those involved, the development of educational initiatives aimed at nutritional and food safety may also exert a positive influence.